We were lucky to catch up with Shara Ruffinm LCSW recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Journey to Licensure isn’t just a company with a mission; it’s a mission born from my own personal journey. I graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University in 2010, and my first attempt at the LGSW exam in 2011 ended in a near miss, failing by just 3 points. At that point, I temporarily gave up, as study programs and resources for licensure exams were scarce.

However, in 2013, I realized that obtaining my license was essential for advancing my social work career. The path to building my study process was tough, especially given my diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and a Learning Disorder in 2007. Despite these challenges, I dedicated myself to studying for 8 hours a day, rewriting my study guide to suit my learning style. Finally, in May 2013, I passed the master level exam.

But life threw more hurdles my way. I experienced the loss of my first child at seven months in utero during my ex-husband’s deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan. I then married and had my second child, Jaedan, who was born with a life-threatening kidney abnormality. I worked as a psychotherapist nearly three hours away from home, commuting by train and bus, and walking two additional miles because I couldn’t afford a car. My marriage began to unravel, leading to divorce. I also battled debilitating post-partum depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Still, I persevered, collecting clinical hours over a five-year period, working with five different supervisors due to high turnover in my psychotherapist positions. Despite the odds, I took the LCSW exam in November 2019, only to miss it by 2 points, which was incredibly disheartening.

From March 2020 to November 2020, I faced another immense challenge: battling depression during the pandemic while caring for three children. I found solace in writing daily prayers in my notebook, hoping to navigate through my darkest moments. It wasn’t until I sought help from a therapist and psychiatrist, and confronted the stigma surrounding my disabilities, that I finally passed the LCSW exam in November 2020. This journey was arduous, but it also revealed that with determination, resilience, and courage, nothing is impossible.

Today, at Journey to Licensure, we’ve proudly coached over 300 passionate individuals on their paths to success. Our alumni stories are a testament to the power of determination and resilience. People like Shannon a deaf social worker who passed her LCSW exam during her first attempt, Tameisha Tate a social worker who is blind, passed her master level exam for the first time, Zena, a homeless social worker passed her LCSW exam for the first time and many other social workers followed, each with their unique challenges, have achieved their licensure goals because of the holistic approach that was born from my personal journey of struggling to pass the licensing exams.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Shara, and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you. My career as a clinical social worker started with a Bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and a Master’s from Howard University School of Social Work. Over the years, I’ve become a Board Certified Tele-mental Health Provider with 23 specializations, ranging from grief counseling to mindfulness meditation.

What sets me apart is my dedication to excellence, recognized by credentials like QCSW, ACSW, and C-SWHC from the National Association of Social Workers. I’m also a five-time Amazon Best-Seller author, with books like “90 Days of Prayer” and “90 Days Of Inspiration” that resonate with aspiring social workers.

As the Founder and CEO of “Journey To Licensure,” I blend wellness, clinical supervision, and professional development coaching to empower social workers on their journey. Most recently I was named by Influence Digest as “Top 15 Linkedin Experts in Philadelphia in 2023”. My work has been featured in Business Insider, USA Today, and Success, and my podcast, “Journey To Licensure,” offers valuable insights from leaders in social work.

One unique achievement is being named “LinkedIn Top Voice Of Social Work in 2023,” a testament to my impact on the platform. I’m proud to be a dedicated figure in clinical social work, and I’m here to empower as many social workers as I can on the journey in their social work careers.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my dedication to continuous learning and expanding my expertise has played a crucial role in building my reputation within my market. Beyond my academic degrees and specializations, I’ve invested in mentors, various marketing techniques, and formed a robust support system throughout my entrepreneurship journey.

Listening attentively to my clients’ pain points and addressing their needs has been paramount. Cultivating trust through social media, sharing testimonials, and showcasing social proof of the results I’ve achieved has been instrumental in establishing credibility and trust in the competitive exam coaching market.

In essence, my commitment to ongoing education, strategic mentorship, and a client-focused approach has been the cornerstone of my reputation within my market.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Certainly, I’d be happy to share a pivotal moment from my journey. After successfully passing my LCSW exam, I was filled with a burning desire to share my ten-year-long experience and the insights I gained during that time. I wanted to help others in the social work field navigate their licensure exams more effectively.

This drive led me to explore different platforms, and I eventually found Clubhouse, where I started sharing my story with fellow social workers. I began hosting study rooms on Clubhouse every Monday for about five months, providing a space for aspiring social workers to gather, learn, and grow together.

However, as I continued on this path, I realized that my passion extended beyond just private practice. I wanted to take a more holistic approach to exam coaching and offer a comprehensive program that could support social workers at all levels of licensure. That’s when the pivotal moment came, and I decided to embark on the journey of pivoting towards forming Journey To Licensure LLC.

This transition allowed me to create a platform where I could provide a wide range of services, including one-on-one coaching, group coaching, professional development, and mentorship support. It was a significant pivot in my career, but it felt like the right path to take to fulfill my mission of helping aspiring social workers succeed in their licensure journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healthcareandbusiness.mykajabi.com/journey-to-licensure-main-page
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharadruffin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081919776956
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shararuffin
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharaRuffin
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@journeytolicensure/about

Image Credits
Journey To licensure LLC